Moyo leaders block construction of theatre
Facility. An attendant on Tuesday at Itula Health Centre III, which is located near the sub-county headquarters. PHOTO BY SCOVIN ICETA
What you need to know:
- Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, who is also the district Woman Member of Parliament, said the relocation should not be delayed.
Moyo. Moyo District leaders have blocked the construction of a Shs400 million theatre at Itula Health Centre III demanding relocation of the sub-county headquarters to a neighbouring place.
Shs400m had been released by Ministry of Health but the leaders insist Itula Sub-county headquarters be relocated to a bigger space measuring more than 100 acres, which is about 500 metres away.
The Obongi County Member of Parliament, Mr Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, who was part of the meeting, said the relocation of the administrative headquarters is more urgent than the construction of the theatre.
“We are giving land for the health centre by relocating the sub-county headquarters. This does not mean that the funds from the health sector should be diverted. Without land, you cannot build more structures at Itula Health Centre III so let us first secure a bigger space,” Mr Fungaroo said.
He added: “There will be other structures proposed for this health facility (Itula).Where are you going to put them if we don’t secure enough land? What is more urgent is the allocation of more land which is already there. This should come after the headquarters is relocated.”
Dr Franklin Iddi, the Moyo District health officer, explained that the reason for establishing a theatre at Itula Health Centre III is to accommodate the surging refugee population.
“It was on that basis that we thought if a theatre is constructed at Itula Health Centre III, Moyo General Hospital and Obongi Health Centre IV we will decongest Moyo Referral Hospital. This will also enable us handle emergency cases before referral to Moyo hospital,” he said.
Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, who is also the district Woman Member of Parliament, said the relocation should not be delayed.
“The policy requires that each constituency should have a health centre IV and we at least have one in Obongi. Let us plan for the theatre in line with the policy of the ministry. Now, we should be thinking of making Obongi Health Centre IV a district hospital,” Dr Moriku said.
Mr Williams Anyama, the district chairperson, said: “The draft proposal is already on paper and has been presented to UNHCR for funding although the money for relocation has delayed.”
